Tag Archives: spring

Brrrrrr, pr0n stars. I don’t know how it is in your neighborhood, but by me it’s that annoying time of year where it could still be 50 degrees one day and 70 the next, and 30 in the morning. Which means we’re supposed to wear what exactly? Today we’re going to talk about that elusive style creature known as “layering”. How to effectively, and fashionably, be able to peel your way through spring clothing without looking like you’re seasonally challenged.

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Calvin Klein Trench Coat - $149.99 @ Lord & Taylor

Men and women, the start to walking out the door any spring day is with a coat. Trench coat, rain coat, macintosh, call it what you want; it’s a cotton/nylon piece of clothing that protects you from the elements. There’s no better example of just how feminine a trench coat can be than this baby-blue ruffled trench coat at Lord and Taylor.

If you put this coat on, you’ll instantly look polished and professional. Please use the belt loops to create a clean line, rather than tying it as shown. Two notes: above the knee is a perfect length for a dress or a work coat. Please don’t wear mid-thigh coats to work.

Second, beware of epaulets. That’s about the only thing I don’t like about this coat; it’s a bit of a military-style feature and can make a feminine coat more masculine in appearance. It shouldn’t be a deal breaker when buying a spring jacket or coat, just something to keep in mind. You might even be able to have a good tailor remove them.

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Kenneth Cole Raincoat; $137.95 @Macys

Men, the same rules for rain coats or trench coats apply to you. If you wear a short coat (in your case, to the hip) over your suit, you will look silly and unprofessional. A dress coat stops just above the knee. Don’t be afraid to try a slightly non-traditional coat like this Kenneth Cole Kennedy from Macy’s.

Kennedy is unusual for a trench coat in that it has a notched collar with no belt, but particularly for a gentlemen of…wider girth, it will be quite a slimming style. What’s particularly nice about this coat is that it has a zip out lining. You’ll have built in warmth during those iffy early Spring times, and can take out the lining once it warms up for good.

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Aqua Cashmere Scarf, $68.95@ Bloomingdales

Back to our baby blue raincoat. Right now you’re looking at me and saying “Din.” (Because you’re my peeps and that’s how we roll.)

“Din, if I walk out of the house on a rainy spring day looking like that model, I’m going be a freezing wet mess!”

Why, yes. Yes, you are. That’s why you’re not going to walk out of the house like that.

First you’re going to put on the cashmere scarf you’ve been wearing all winter (You have been wearing a cashmere scarf all winter, haven’t you?). Or you’ll go to Bloomingdales for this Aqua one.

kashmere reversible cashmere scarf $84.99 @bluefly.com

Men, a pop of color – I implore you. This Kashmere reversible scarf from Bluefly comes in a variety of colors. Why not collect the whole set?

Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves, $29.99@ Lands End

Mens Two Tone Cashmere Lined Leather Gloves, $55.95 @Amazon.com

Then you’ll slip on your cashmere lined lambskin gloves, which you got on sale for $29.99 at Land’s End, or $55.99 at Amazon.com.

Feel free to to scotch guard these (carefully) to make them water repellent, and indulge your fingers in caaaaashmere.

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My goodness, we’re looking stylish! But it may surprise you to learn that fashion isn’t everything. You heard me: fashion isn’t everything.

It pains me to see women schlepping to and from work in their good pumps! Weather or not, this simply isn’t appropriate! I don’t care how many fashion magazines tell you it’s not okay to wear your athletic shoes with your suit, I’m telling you that it is.

First, if I’m going to the gym after work, I’ll be darned if I’m going to carry my sneakers with me so Robin Ghivan isn’t offended.

Second, shoes are expensive! I’m not wearing my good heels on the city streets if I don’t have to. Finally, OW! My work shoes are for traipsing lightly around the office looking terribly chic. At the end of the day, those suckers are coming off, amirite?

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Chooka Tatoo City, $30 @Jildor

But! Let’s assume you have a locker at the gym, and simply can’t bear to be just that unfashionable. I hear you, and I give you: The Rain Boot. Have some fun! Show some personality!

These darlings come in every store, in every pattern – there’s something for everyone, and speaking from experience, there are few things more fun than tucking your pants into your boots and fearlessly tramping through puddles!

If I can find these Chooka Tattoo Boots in my size, I’m buying them, even though I already have rain boots. I don’t care what you say, they are the cutest things I’ve ever seen. Size 9 and 10 – these are $30!! Go to Jildor! Now! We’ll wait… (Search for more sizes here) I never said fashion couldn’t be fun.

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Hunter Original Yellow, $115 @ Jildor

Men’s rain boots are a little more sedate, but that doesn’t mean you can’t show personality. Take a fashion risk and try these original yellow Wellington Hunter boots, also at Jildor. They come in a variety of other colors, but I promise you these will get plenty of female looks and smiles..

Underneath all this men or women can put on your favorite suit with a cashmere sweater underneath instead of a cotton button down shirt, or women can layer a dress with a button down shirt and a pair of tights and heels.

When it gets warmer, swap the button down shirt for the suit, a pair of hose with the dress. It’s all about the layers, baby!

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Combed Cotton Argyle Front Sweater Vest, $54.50 @ Banana Republic

Men, you can put a sweater vest over a work shirt and take your suit jacket off. Try this cotton argyle sweater from Banana Republic for $54.50; you’ll get use out of it Spring through Fall.

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That’s our first lesson in layering your wardrobe for Spring! This was a work lesson; tomorrow or Saturday we’ll talk about casual layering.

Any questions before class is dismissed? In case you didn’t know, all pictures open in a new window to their respective products, so click away!

Hi pr0n stars! Spring is about to…spring! We’re about to spring forward, it’s time for spring cleaning, a young man’s fancy turn to love, and according to my sources color is back. I don’t know where it went, but I’m glad to see it. I have so much color to show you today: lemony yellows, coraly corals, and rosy pinks, just to name a few.

I’ve been beating the drum about how big cobalt blue is going to be this season, and (as usual) I’m right! Check out this delightful cotton jersey dress by Tbags. It’s got a deep v-neck (you can always throw a cami under it), ruched shoulders and bustline, and this marvelous abstract/floraly green, cobalt and orange print. Throw on a cardigan and a pair of flats and try wearing it to work.

This style is so flattering and forgiving; whether you’re trying to camoflauge a tummy, or hips, or thighs and a rear – this dress is just going to skim right over your problem area, open up your neck and face and make you look great.

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I broke out my new toy again. I love toys! People tend to shy away from yellow and orange, when in fact they can be extremely flattering colors. In the middle is a buttery yellow raincoat by Alice and Olivia; this heavyweight cotton is a perfect fabric for Spring.

I love the contrast coral buttons, and I found lots more coral. To the left is the Nanette Lepore cotton “Come Together” jacket; the ribbon will help create or accentuate a waist, and along with the 3/4 length sleeves it will also draw up the eye .

On the right is a bright red Rebecca Beeson cotton tunic – again, a tunic style that skims over like this will camoflauge a multitude of sins. The shirt just looks so comfy, doesn’t it?

I’ve paired everything with coral chandelier earrings by Amrita Singh because almost everyone can wear coral (check out the little hearts!), and adorable lace-up “Jasmine” pumps from TopShop USA that come in two other colors. More color!

Finally, two great Kate Spade bags; Union Square Opus in yellow is a structured hobo style that also includes an adjustable shoulder strap (two bags for the price of one!) and comes in lots of other cheery colors; Tamarind Cove Kyle is a nubby cotton tote that also comes in navy. Collect both. :)

Okay, there’s a lot to look at in this set, pr0n petunias! In the middle is Rachel Pally’s “Carrie” dress, which comes in sizes 14-24. (This is Pomegranate. See it in Baltic and Blossom @ Nordstrom); to the right is my favorite designer, Milly, with a Cashmere Rugby Polo Sweater from Revolve Clothing; back on the left is a BCBG flutter sleeve pleated blouse (WANT THESE TWO), available at Bluefly.

If you’ve got the legs, show them off in this hot pink pleated mini-skirt by Costume National @ Zappos Couture. I’d tone down the rest of the outfit. Maybe a pair of flat boots…and a thin turtleneck sweater with 3/4 sleeves I’m thinking.

Back around again, how much do you love this purple Coach leather Sabrina? Go ahead and splurge, the little glass beads right above it are only £6 at OliverBonas.com! Colorful accessories like that are great to brighten up a neutral outfit, like a suit. Try pairing lavender with something unexpected like brown or green. You can stow all your accessories in the Kate Spade patchin place large colin; it’s big, over 7″ wide. There are two smaller cases on the website if you’re looking.

..Bringing up the rear is another one of my favorite topics: dresses! (I love dresses!) Petite frames should jump at Shoshanna’s fuchsia silk square link dress; curvy girls of any size stay away. It’s a shame since my heart is breaking over the pops of turquoise and orange on it.

Plus sizes, I never forget you. I fell in love when I saw this green matte jersey shift dress by Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique. If you click on the picture to see it larger, you can see the banded neck and hem, which I think is a great detail; it comes in sizes 14w-24w at Nordstrom.

Lookie at the cobalt blue used again for this ’40’s styled Yoana Baraschi silk swing dress. I’m just not sure a pale-face like your dear blogger can wear cobalt. If I can, I’m snatching up this dress when it goes on sale at Bluefly.

The “Emilia” red blouse is also for plus sizes; it’s a wrap style, which works on almost everyone, and would look fab on it’s own with a pair of dressy pants and heels, or under a suit. It’s going fast and is available in a smattering of sizes >14 in Tomato, Black and Chocolate at b&lu (Go ahead. We’ll wait.).

Almost last, but by no means least is a Vera Wang dress, which seems to have become extinct. Ah well, it was nearly $500, anyway. Can I offer you a green Vera Wang in a size 8 as an apology? I promise I’ll make it up to you with a carmine red Design History jersey pleat dress. This also has a very sweet, retro feel to it, and would look fantastic with a pair of classic square heel pumps like these.

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This should keep you shopping for a while, pr0n pals! Do let me know what you think; I love your comments.

Welcome to March, pr0n darlings! I’ve hated to be away from you but I promise it will be worth it. This is a very special edition of Pr0n Plus; Shopping Pr0n has been given an exclusive(I think) sneak preview of the new plus-size women’s Spring line at SimplyBe. Everything at SimplyBe comes in sizes 14-32! Remember that plus size black and white ruffle dress from SimplyBe I showed you two weeks ago in Pr0n Plus?

Our good friend Charlotte from Gok Wan (maker of fine plus-size shapewear) wrote to me the other day with pictures from their new Spring clothing trends. Please take a moment to check out their press release.

Until the line at SimplyBe goes live on Friday, you’ll only see these pictures here (probably)!!!

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This little hottie is from the Bohemian Boutique collection, but I’ve never seen a Bohemian that looked like this! I told you in last week’s Pr0n Plus that a cobalt blue was going to be one of the “it” colors this spring and I’m right! (I love being right!)

I see a scoop neck ruffle tiered dress that goes to about mid thigh, with straps wide enough to hide your bra (or Gok Wan shapewear. Just saying!). The styling here is adorable – black tights and a black pump or Mary Jane. But you could also wear it with a pair of dressy sandals.

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SimplyBe Plus Size Fuchsia Dress: Bohemian Boutique

Also in Bohemian Boutique is this smokin’ little fuchsia number. It’s also coming up as “Juan 4″…sooo I’m thinking that’s wrong. :) Just call it ‘That Hot Fuchsia Dress’ until Friday.

SimplyBe Plus Size Double Belt

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This is definitely more tunic-y to me. I might be a bit fashion forward and pair it with this awesome double belt from the Homespun series, and maybe a pair of skinny jeans.

Plus sizes can wear skinny jeans, but they’re relegated to the more apple-y shaped. Pears need to stick to a straight/boot-cut/wide leg jean to balance our booties.

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SimplyBe Plus Size Long V-Neck Cardigan

You could also use the belt with this comfy looking oversized blue v-neck cardigan. I can’t tell if it’s a long sleeve or a 3/4 length, but this is a cardi that’s long enough to be warn by itself over leggings or jeans, or a casual skirt if it’s long enough.

I love the cornflower blue color, which is so flattering, and the the front pockets I think I’m seeing. Throw a long sleeve T-shirt under this to go causal, or a silky cami to dress it up!

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SimplyBe Plus Size "Homespun" Patchwork Tee

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Back to you pears and hourglasses – this long tee/tunic is adorably bohemian, even though it’s part of the Homespun series. It’s so very flower-child in red and blue patchwork.

It’s with jeans in this picture, but why not wear it with a pair of long shorts and Grecian flat sandals?

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SimplyBe "Homespun" Fringe Hobo

By the way, the handbag the model is carrying here is so totally part of the collection. Release your inner ’70s chick with this tan hobo with fringe, grommets and an outside pocket.

Multi-colored butterflies are scattered around a slouchy black short sleeved dress, and then repeated in a mini-butterfly pattern on the bottom hem.

This has got to be one of my favorites. It’s going to be flattering on a variety of plus-size body shapes and you can wear it with one of these wide bangles and a bunch of really skinny ones.

Mexican Sunset Wide Bangles

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Mexican Sunset Flower Dress

Okay, two more of my favs! From the Mexican Sunset collection, this lovely black chiffon dress with a big orange and flower on the side. This is so feminine and so summery, with the flutter sleeves and deep neckline.

It’s more for a curvy pear/hourglass shape because of how it skims the body. Apples want shapes that flow more away from the body, especially around the waistline. What they don’t know can’t hurt them, right? :)

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Homespun Embroidered Elastic Waist Top

Finally I want you to see this long white top. It’s embroidered with blue and red around the scoop neck, and front pockets, and has an elasticized red empire waist. It’s suitable for all body types, and patriotic in lots of countries!

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My sincere thanks to Char for the scoop. Let’s all head over on Friday and give them a little Shopping Pr0n love. We’re lucky to have such a wide variety of thoughtfully designed plus-size clothing.

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Until next time, it was good for me; tell me, was it good for you?

(FYI, there is no “pay for play” here on Shopping Pr0n! If I feature something, it’s because I really and truly like it. I get no kickbacks other than basking in the glow of your love. ).